New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) India on Tuesday partially modified its 2016 statement imposing a ban on Indian nationals from travelling to Libya, and in a fresh notification said that Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Libya.
The MEA statement asked Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid inter-province travel by road and remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tripoli.
It said:
“In partial modification of MEA’s Press Release dated 23 May 2016 imposing ban on Indian nationals traveling to Libya and in response to our assessment of the prevailing security situation in Libya, Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Libya.
“Indian nationals in Libya are advised to exercise caution, avoid inter-province travel by road and remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tripoli at emergency phone number: +218943992046”.
The move comes after the armed groups that had been controlling Tripoli for more than a decade agreed to leave Libya’s capital and be replaced with regular forces following a deal struck with them in February this year.
Libya has been battered by many armed groups who emerged after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
A series of armed uprisings that led to the long-time dictator’s killing created a security vacuum, with much of the country lawless and chaotic since.
Libya is currently divided between the internationally recognised government in the west, led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli, and an administration in the east run by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.
